Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ On the Road Again ❯ I call you my friend ( Chapter 21 )

Chapter 21: I call you my friend

Location: American Fork, Utah…

Inside the room, Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends slept peacefully after a long and hard drive there. The adventurous RV was parked just outside the building, and it was safe. The team found a place to stay for the night, and so they settled down to sleep. Metal-2 stood alert and strong, in no need for rest, and he watched the window. The robot noticed how the clouds darkened the sky, blinding the stars and moon, and there was a strange uneasiness about it. Metal-2 thought of this, and his face looked down at the floor, and then it suddenly hit him. He sensed something evil nearby. He could not detect exactly where and what it was, but he knew that something was dreadfully wrong. He tried again to detect the danger, but something was blocking his sensors. When he knew this, he lifted his face to the window again, wondering.

'The RV…' Metal-2 thought, 'something is very wrong. I must investigate.'

He turned to the crew, and they were all asleep. Silently, he came to the bedside of Sonic. The blue hedgehog was asleep with his green eyes closed with his head resting on a pillow. He looked very tired, and so Metal-2 decided not to awake him. He would go and look for himself, to see if there was in fact danger or not. The robot turned to leave, but the sight of Tails caught his eye. Metal-2 quietly and gently lifted the blanket over the young fox, to keep him warm, and after stroking his head; Metal-2 left him to sleep with Sonic. Metal-2 was silent as he left the building through the bedroom window, and he was outside. He stood still, quietly scanning the area. There were no cars moving, no one outside and only the soft wind could be heard. Nothing seemed to be wrong, all appeared to be normal, but his sensors said something else. There was something watching him, a robotic stalker, waiting for the right moment to strike. Metal-2 circled the building, and after finding nothing wrong, he came to the RV, which was parked behind the building, away from the other cars because of its size. It was still safe and unharmed. But suddenly without a warning, Metal-2 sensed his stalker behind him. He quickly turned around, and he came face to face with Metal Sonic, who was armed with a crossbow weapon.

"Step away from that RV, tin hedgehog, and maybe, I will spare you." Metal Sonic whispered.

Metal-2 shook his head. "No, I cannot allow you to destroy it. I will stand to defend." He stood with the RV behind him, refusing to obey the enemy robot. He stood firm for what he said.

"Then fall down in front of it, foolish machine." Metal Sonic hissed, and he fired the crossbow. The arrow was lightning fast, and it penetrated Metal-2 near the right shoulder.

Metal-2 instantly began to shake as the virus rushed through him like a violent river. His vision darkened and he could not activate his blasters to fire on the enemy. He slightly fell backward, leaning against the front of the RV, and Metal Sonic began to approach him, slowly.

"Fight it if you wish, brother, but it will takeover." Metal Sonic said in a sinister delight.

"No…" Metal-2 said, and he slowly slid down to his knees, shakily. He lifted his hand from the street, trembling as he reached for the arrow. His hand wrapped around the weapon, gripping it as tight as he could, but he could not remove it. He could no longer move his hands. Finally, Metal-2 fell down in front of the RV, still holding the arrow. The red light in his eyes vanished.

Metal Sonic watched for a moment of pleasure, and then he contacted Dr. Eggman. "Mission accomplished, Doctor. I have him, and he is down." The evil robot reported.

"Well done, Metal." Eggman said, "Now, bring him to me at once. I will be waiting."

"Understood, Doctor. I'm on my way." Metal Sonic then turned to the robot. He lifted the machine from the ground, holding him. "Machines have no emotions or feelings toward others, but if those pests in there mean anything to you, then you're more hopeless than I thought." He whispered, and then in a flash of light, the two robots vanished. They were gone without a trace.

= = = = =

Meanwhile…

Dr. Eggman began to worry when Metal Sonic was a little late to arrive. He walked back and forth in the laboratory room, while Chaos was having a midnight snack. Humming, Chaos dunked a cookie in a glass of milk, and he watched the scientist walk around, restlessly waiting.

"Where could he possibly be?" Eggman asked, concerned. "What if the arrow failed?"

Chaos bit into his cookie, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know, but why worry?" He asked.

"Because Metal-2 is designed to come back online in an hour, or sometimes less." Eggman explained, "It makes him more deadly, and very dangerous as a perfect killing machine."

Then Chaos gulped a sip of milk down with his eyes widening. "Oh, sounds really spooky."

"Yes…and stop talking with food in your mouth!" Eggman scolded, pointing.

"Whatever." Chaos shrugged, and then he finished his last bite of the cookie.

Just then, a door opened. Metal Sonic entered the room, dragging Metal-2 by the arms. He ruthlessly let go and then Metal-2 fell to the floor, still unable to move and his eyes were still black. The robot lay still on the floor, and Metal Sonic returned the crossbow weapon and arrow to the mad scientist. The arrow was in his hand, and he snapped it in half as if it were a twig.

"You're late, Metal. I became concerned about what happened." Eggman said.

"Yeah." Chaos nodded, biting into another cookie.

"I am not late." Metal Sonic defended himself.

"You're only just in time." Chaos chuckled, and before the robot could attack, Eggman spoke.

"Well, at least we have Metal-2, according to plan. Now, we must hurry and implant the Corruption Chip, so then he will be under my control again, and destroy my adversary."

Then Eggman approached the robot hedgehog on the floor. At first, he was afraid to touch it, but he took the machine to a steel table. Metal-2 was locked onto the table with steel handcuffs around each of his wrist and around each his ankles. The table was moved upward slightly, so the scientist could work on him under a bright light in the dark room. With sharp tweezers, Eggman removed the computer chip called Corruption from the small glass capsule, and it was implanted into the head of the robot, through an access hatch. Metal Sonic watched in the background while Chaos read his comic book, fascinated. After his work was completed, Eggman removed his black gloves, but he was very shocked when Metal-2 suddenly lifted his head with his eyes shining red again, activated. He came back to life, and the Corruption Chip took over.

Eggman screamed with fright, Metal Sonic backed away slightly, and Chaos gasped at a picture of his comic because of a frightening scene with Spider Man fighting against a villain. Metal-2 turned his head, and he saw the steel cuffs, holding him back. With ease, he broke free, and he stood on his feet, gazing around the laboratory room, and he stopped when he saw Eggman.

"M-Metal-2, is it really you?" Eggman asked the machine, slightly trembling with fear.

After a moment of a cold stare and silence, Metal-2 answered. "Yes, by your command, master." After hearing that and seeing how Metal-2 was under his control, Eggman laughed with a plan.

= = = = =

When morning arrived, it was dawn when Tails suddenly awoke from a nightmare. He sat up in bed, and Sonic felt it. The hedgehog sleepily opened an eye, and then he sat up next to him. He saw that Tails was slightly sweating and his blue eyes were alert.

"What's wrong, Tails?" Sonic asked him in a whisper.

"I had a nightmare that Metal-2 was hurt, and he needed us…" Tails whispered, trembling.

Sonic embraced his young friend to end the fear. "It's okay." It was all he could whisper.

Tails had his eyes closed, and when he opened them to see the robot at the window, he was not there. "Metal-2, where are you?" Tails asked, and he freed himself from Sonic.

"I wouldn't worry about him, Tails." Sonic said, "He's most likely outside now."

"No, let's go see. I want to make sure." Tails insisted, and then Sonic climbed out of bed.

Just then, Shadow slightly sat up with his eyes half closed, and he yawned. "Coffee…" He sighed. He rubbed his eyes, and then he saw that Sonic and Tails were gone.

"My Emerald, my destiny." Knuckles whispered in his sleep, and Shadow snorted.

Outside, Sonic and Tails came to the RV, and they saw that it was unharmed, but there was still no sign of Metal-2. They circled the RV, looked inside it, and finally around the building also.

"He's gone, Sonic!" Tails said, becoming worried at the moment. "Where did he go?"

"I'm not sure, little buddy." Sonic answered, "But we have to go look for him. He could not have gone too far, and it must be for an important reason. I'm sure he will tell us. Come on." Sonic led the way back, and he reported the news to the team. "And now we must find him." He said.

Shadow finished his last sip of coffee. "Hmm, you know, he could be anywhere."

"Sure, but he's somewhere, so we can find him." Knuckles assured them all.

"Why did he go, anyway?" Amy asked, and the others shrugged with uncertainty.

"I don't know," Rouge said, "But one thing is for sure, there's something wrong."

"Right." Tikal agreed with a nod. "Let's go in teams, and we'll find him, no doubt."

"Okay," Sonic said, leading them. "Listen up, crew. We'll search the area, no one go alone, report anything out of the ordinary, and return to the RV if something happens." He told them his plan, and they agreed. They went their ways, and then Sonic turned to Tails. Sonic tried to smile.

"Sonic, do nightmares come true?" Tails asked him, quietly.

"Sometimes they do, yes." Sonic replied in truth. "But let's not let that get in our way. We have a job to do. We'll find Metal-2, Tails, don't worry, and if we don't, he will find us."

= = = = =

But that was a very dangerous thing for Metal-2 to find them, and yet, Sonic and his friends did not know that dreadful fact. Dr. Eggman sent the two robots and Chaos out to find the RV crew, hunt them down and bring them to him as prisoners. Metal-2 uncontrollably began to search the area, but somewhere in him, he was fighting the Corruption Chip. He could not overwrite it, could not deactivate it, and it made him forget the friendship he had come to know.

"Locate the targets and capture them. If they refuse to corroborate, then destroy them." Eggman gave them the orders before they left, and the command repeated itself to Metal-2 again.

Chaos looked around with binoculars, searching the area. "I don't see a thing. It's so small." He said, and then Metal Sonic turned to see Chaos looking in the binoculars the wrong way.

"Try the other side, you foolish pool." Metal Sonic said, and then Chaos looked in again.

"Oh, I see them! I see them!" Chaos pointed down the hill. "It's Shadow and Knuckles."

"That's perfect, but where's Metal-2?" The robot asked.

"I don't know." Chaos shrugged. "What am I? Your brother's keeper?" He asked.

Metal Sonic slapped him, angrily, and then he saw Metal-2 land on the ground with Rouge and Amy captured. The two girls struggled to free themselves, but the robot was too strong.

"Metal-2, let us go, please!" Amy gasped when she saw Metal Sonic and Chaos.

"Targets found." Metal-2 reported, and the girls could hardly believe what was happening.

"How could you betray us like this?!" Rouge asked the machine, but he gave no answer.

Metal-2 let the girls down to the ground, tied up in front of the enemies, and then he left to find the others. Rouge and Amy watched the robot disappear, and they were afraid.

= = = = =

Meanwhile, Tikal and Freeway were searching another area, not too far away. The female echidna breathed for air, and then she leaped over a rock, and Freeway followed her. Tikal looked around, and when she saw nothing there, she continued walking. She had to climb over another large rock, but Freeway could not make it, so Tikal turned back for her. When she turned to help the fawn, she heard something behind her. Tikal looked, and she smiled when she saw Metal-2, standing quietly after landing. Tikal quickly helped Freeway to the other side, and then she ran to the robot with the young deer following. She did not know that Metal-2 was being controlled.

"Oh, thank goodness, Metal-2, I'm so glad I found you! We were worried that something happened, and--" Tikal stopped, and she gasped when Metal-2 suddenly gripped her arm. "What is wrong, Metal-2?" Tikal asked him, and the robot only tightened his grip.

"You must surrender, or you will perish." Metal-2 said, and Tikal could not believe it.

Tikal was speechless, and then she screamed when she saw Metal Sonic. "Oh no!!" She cried, trying to free herself, but Metal-2 had caught her. "Metal-2, please stop!" She begged. Freeway looked up at them, confused as she blinked her eyes, and when Metal Sonic began to approach, Tikal screamed again. "Freeway, go! Run!!" She cried, and the fawn ran to find help.

Metal-2 saw Freeway escaping and he armed himself with his blasters to fire. Tikal saw him raise his arm, and he aimed for the running fawn. Tikal cried with tears, and she fell to her knees as she tried to pull the arm away, but it was useless. Metal Sonic shook his head with anger.

"That's enough!" Metal Sonic commanded. "We got the target we want, Metal-2. Take her."

"NO!" Tikal screamed, and Metal-2 emotionlessly took her as another captive.

Freeway continued running to find the others for help. She ran until she was out of breath, and then she gasped when she saw Knuckles and Shadow, but they were on the ground, without conciseness after Chaos suddenly attacked them. Freeway came to Shadow, and she nuzzled his cheek, but he did not move and his eyes were closed. Then suddenly, Chaos caught her.

"Got ya, you little rascal!" Chaos said, chuckling and Freeway screamed, kicking him, but she was tied and kept with Amy, Rouge, and Tikal, who were caught. Now only Sonic and Tails were left, and Metal-2 began to hunt them down. With no doubt, the robot would find them in time. It was not a question of if, but when he would find the leader hedgehog and his sidekick fox.

= = = = =

Somewhere, and together, Sonic the Hedgehog and Tails searched the area for Metal-2, but there was no sign left behind, not even a slight clue to tell what happened or where he was. Sonic raced on the hard soil ground, leaving sand behind, and Tails closely followed him, seeking. The fast blue hedgehog slowed down and came to a sudden stop, and then he let his eyes see the area.

"I still don't see him." Tails said, and he stopped beside the hedgehog, breathless.

"Maybe he's looking for us." Sonic wondered, and he was right about that one.

"You are correct, hedgehog." The voice of Metal-2 was heard behind them.

"Metal-2, you're all right!" Tails shouted, happily, but Sonic felt uneasy.

"Metal-2, I want a truthful explanation for you leaving the RV. We all worried for you." Sonic said, gently, and the robot took a step toward him, very careful with every step.

"You must comply, and surrender yourselves to the master plan of Doctor Robotnik!" Metal-2 demanded, harshly, and then Sonic knew for sure that something was very wrong.

"Eggman's plans aren't worth a dime!" Sonic snorted, and then Metal-2 suddenly armed his blasters, aiming right for the hedgehog. "YIKES!" Sonic yelled, as he jumped over the attack, and the weapon fired on a rock instead, turning it to dust. "Whoa, he's fast!" Sonic breathed.

"Sonic, look out!" Tails warned him just in time when Metal-2 fired again, barely missing.

"Metal-2, stop attacking us! We're your friends!" Tails called out to him.

Sonic gasped as he rolled out of reach, and then Metal-2 suddenly stood still after he heard Tails. Sonic quickly ran to his young friend, took him by the hand, and he ran with him. Metal-2 turned his head, and he saw them escaping. He followed them, stalking like a skillful hunter.

Sonic ran to get Tails to safety, but the robot would easily find them. Sonic let go of his friend's hand. "Keep going Tails, run!" Sonic said, and he turned to face the robot.

"Sonic!" Tails called, and he tried to stop, but then he suddenly slipped, falling over a rock and to the ground. He laid still with his eyes closed, and then Sonic looked to see him.

"Tails!" Sonic called, and he ran to the rock where Tails had fallen. "Oh, Tails!" Sonic cried, and he lifted him from the ground, holding him in his arms. "You okay, little bud?" He asked.

"My ankle hurts…" Tails said, painfully with his eyes tightly closed. Then Sonic looked up, and his eyes met the blasters of the robot Metal-2. Sonic realized they were trapped this time.

"Raise your hands, prisoner!" Metal-2 demanded, and Sonic did so, but he did it only for Tails.

= = = = =

Later, outside the laboratory…

Dr. Eggman laughed with pride when Metal-2 returned with Sonic and Tails as captives. But Metal Sonic was clearly jealous, if a robot could possibly be that, he appeared to be so.

"I have captured their leader." Metal-2 reported, and Eggman was very pleased.

"Good work, Metal-2, and now, tie them to the wall over there with the others." Eggman commanded, and Metal-2 obeyed him with no hesitation.

The re-programmed Metal-2 helped his robotic predecessor tie their prisoner to the wall. Metal Sonic tied the leader hedgehog next to Shadow and Knuckles, who were both awake now. Amy Rose, Tikal, Rouge, and young Freeway were also there, caught and tied.

"Hmm, this one appears to be wounded." Eggman noticed when he saw Tails.

"Sonic, help!" Tails called, but Sonic could not move. Metal Sonic held the fox tightly in his arms as the others watched, helplessly. Metal Sonic was silent as he tied Tails to a steel post, which was in the ground. Sonic fought against the leather straps until it hurt.

"Let him go!" Sonic said, clenching his teeth with anger at the enemy.

"Silence, hedgehog!" Eggman growled, and then an idea suddenly came to his evil mind. "This gives me another great plan, to prove once and for all I am the greatest scientist. Finally, I have made an invention that will give me the recognition I deserve!" He laughed.

"What a jumbo mumble." Knuckles shook his head with disbelief.

"This is making me nervous." Shadow whispered, seeing that everyone in the crew was caught.

"Is this the end?" Rouge gulped, but Tikal shook her head.

"No, we must make it through. There is still hope." Tikal encouraged the others, gently.

"But we're caught!" Amy cried, and Freeway closed her eyes, unable to look any longer.

"Stop that annoying cry!" Eggman groaned, covering his ears. "Being a villain is not always easy, but anyway, back to my great plan. Robots, come here!" He called for them. The two robots obeyed their orders, and walked up to the mad scientist. Eggman addressed them both. "Now, Metal-2, turn around and activate your blasters." The robot did so, now facing Tails, as Eggman continued. "Target that annoying little fox."

Metal-2 aimed directly for Tails. Everyone else looked on in horror as they saw their newest friend preparing to kill one of their oldest ones.

"Now, prove to me that your programming adjustments are functioning fully, and terminate Tails." Eggman said, and then the crew gasped with pure terror.

"NO!!" Sonic yelled, fighting in vain to free himself. "You soulless man, he's only a child!"

"Be quiet, you blue pain in the neck!" Eggman said, angrily, and then he returned to the robot. "Now, Metal-2, follow your orders! Fire!" He commanded, firmly.

The robot seemed to struggle, his entire body shuddering. Many different mechanical noises could be heard coming from him, as if he was fighting himself not only mentally, but physically as well. There was something happening. He tried to recall what happened.

"Do it, now! Metal-2, I command you to fire!" Eggman repeated the order.

Like a little lamb to the slaughter, Tails was sentence to disaster. The eyes of Tails watered as Metal-2 looked into them, coldly. The robot was fighting for control of his own body, which had been taken from him by the chip that Eggman had implanted. They all knew that if Metal-2 did not fire, he would be melted down for spare parts. But if he did, they would lose Tails.

"It's okay, Metal-2…Go ahead…" Tails whispered, slightly trembling. He did not want to see one of his friends destroyed, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

"Tails, NO!!" Sonic yelled. He knew what Tails was thinking, but he could not let that happen.

"Take me instead, Eggman!" Sonic offered himself, seriously.

The scientist thought for a moment, considering this offer. Then a devious grin came over his face. "How very heroic of you…" He said, sarcastically. "However, I think I enjoy seeing you suffer. I will finish you last. Tails will be the first to go, and I shall be rid of you at last!"

Hearing that, Sonic was stunned at this, and his face slowly turned to the ground. He had done all he could do, and was now helpless to save his friend.

Metal-2 was still trembling as he struggled to deactivate his blasters. It was like his body had two minds, one that was good, and the other that wanted only to obey Eggman. "I…must…obey…" he said shakily, his body still trembling.

"Oh, this is too good…" Metal Sonic thought, as he watched the other robot in pain.

"My cookies taste better." Chaos said, and then he ducked down to avoid a punch.

Metal-2 could sense that power was being fed to the blasters, despite his efforts to stop it. The mechanical noises only grew louder as he continued to fight a losing battle with himself.

"Why aren't you firing?!" Eggman shouted, angry. "Do I have to melt you down?!"

Metal-2's blasters once again focused on Tails, right between his almost closed eyes. The robot looked at his friend and knew that he could not fire. The chip that was controlling him was too powerful, and so he steadied his arm. Tails froze with complete fear, hardly able to breathe.

"I'm…sorry, Tails…" Metal-2 said, quietly. The blaster was ready to fire, but Metal-2 had a little control for a moment. He managed to slightly adjust the aim of the blasters just before they fired. The blasters fired just over the fox's head, missing him, and he was unharmed.

"Metal-2, you missed!" Eggman said in surprise and rage. "Fire on the target, now!"

There was a long pause as Metal-2 stood, unmoving. His body was now perfectly still and silent. After a moment, a whirring noise could be heard as his head slowly turned to face Eggman. The body soon followed, and deactivated the blasters as it did so. The robot now faced Eggman with its red eyes glowing more brightly than ever.

"No…" It was all he said, and the others heard him say it.

"What do you mean, No?" Eggman asked the robot, slightly afraid.

His question did not receive an immediate answer. Instead, Metal-2 reached for the access hatch, hidden underneath his armor plate, on his head.

"What…what are you doing?!" Eggman asked, confused.

Metal-2's arm tugged, ripping the chip from its place. Electricity surged through the robot's entire body, which jerked and shook uncontrollably for a moment. Then finally, Metal-2 opened his closed hand, and a small computer chip was seen. It was the Corruption Chip.

"He's gone crazy!" Chaos gasped, and ducked behind Metal Sonic, trembling.

Metal-2 held the chip out between his thumb and forefinger, looking at it. After a moment, he crushed it with a simple squeeze. It shattered into microscopic pieces as Metal-2 changed his gaze to look at Eggman. There was the sense of revenge when one would see his eyes.

Sonic realized what was about to happen, and knew that he had to prevent it. "Metal-2, please don't! You can't kill him!"

Metal-2's eyes quickly turned to Sonic. "Stay out of this, hedgehog! It's not your fight!" He yelled angrily, and without warning, he fired Metal Sonic down with his blasters.

Chaos gulped, very much afraid. "Is there a doctor in the house?" He asked.

Eggman looked at his deadly creation, unsure of what to do. Sonic struggled harder than before against the leather straps that held him back, and he suddenly jumped for freedom. The crew watched as Sonic made it out, and he stood in front of Metal-2, blocking his way.

Metal-2 instantly and angrily turned to the hedgehog, pointing his left arm blasters at him. "Do you wish to be killed as well?!" The robot yelled with rage in his voice.

Sonic stopped in his tracks, shocked at what he had just witnessed. He froze with fear, but then, he suddenly stood calm, unafraid. "Metal-2, remember to never surrender." Sonic said the words, and then Metal-2 slightly lowered his arm down. He remembered that time in Denver.

The robot's blasters aimed upward to attack the enemy's hovering ship. Sonic, seeing an opportunity; ran toward the robot. Unafraid, the hedgehog gripped the robotic hand, tightly. Then the memory of the hands returned to Metal-2. He was badly damaged in Denver, Colorado, but Sonic stood firm, saved him as a friend, and the crew helped him repair himself.

"Metal-2, do you remember me?" Sonic asked softly, still holding the robotic hand.

After a pause, Metal-2 spoke to him. "Yes…I call you my friend."

"I know." Sonic whispered, fighting tears in his green eyes. "But for now, we have some unfinished business to take care of." Sonic pointed toward Eggman's hovering ship. "Fire!" Sonic commanded, and then Metal-2 rapidly fired his blasters toward the enemy ship.

The lasers tore into the armor of the ship, damaging it severely while Eggman watched with horror. The scientist ran for his life, and Chaos followed him with the damaged Metal Sonic to the black truck, and they escaped. The hovering ship fell to the ground, and it exploded in a ball of fire, but no one was harmed. The enemies escaped, but Sonic and his crew were alive.

Metal-2 deactivated his blasters, and he stared at Sonic. Somehow, the damage to the robot's head had been fully repaired. Metal-2 raised a hand, and walked up to Sonic. The hedgehog was unsure of what would happen next, but stood bravely. The robot put his hand gently on his shoulder, and Sonic rested his hand over the robot's, keeping it there.

"You have interfered." Metal-2 said, without emotion. "Normally, I would terminate you…but…instead, I must thank you…I suppose…"

Then Tails limped to the robot, smiling while Sonic freed the crew. Metal-2 opened a compartment on his leg, took out some medical supplies, and he helped Tails with his wounded ankle. The pain soon left him, and Tails hugged the robot, his friend.

"I love you, Metal-2." Tails whispered, speaking words from his young heart.

Metal-2 was silent for a moment. "I wish I could feel the same way." He whispered. He touched the fox's face, and Tails smiled again. He knew that robots could not feel anything, but when one would look at Metal-2, things would be different. The crew returned to the RV, to safety.